Choosing a tenant isn’t simply about accepting the first application that meets the financial requirements. While income and affordability are important, protecting your investment means looking beyond what’s written on the application form.
A Great Application Doesn’t Always Tell the Whole Story
Recently, we received an application for one of our premium rental properties that looked excellent on paper.
The applicants had a strong income, supplied all the required documentation and were happy to pay the full asking rent. However, during the home open, our property manager noticed they were dismissive and discourteous in the way they interacted with her.
On its own, that wasn’t enough to make a decision, but it prompted us to investigate further.
Looking Beyond the Application
As part of our tenant screening process, we carry out reference checks wherever possible, speaking with previous property managers, landlords and other relevant referees.
After making a few additional enquiries, a consistent picture emerged. Although the applicants met the financial criteria, previous referees described them as difficult to communicate with, slow to respond and argumentative when issues arose.
We shared our findings with the landlord and recommended continuing the search.
Experience Makes the Difference
The landlord trusted our advice, even though the applicants had offered the full asking rent.
Because choosing the right tenant isn’t about who offers the most. It’s about finding someone who will communicate well, respect the property and contribute to a positive, long-term tenancy.
Many of the conversations that protect a landlord’s investment happen behind the scenes. They’re conversations landlords never hear, but they’re often the reason costly tenancy issues are avoided.
At Property West, we believe the tenants we don’t recommend can be just as important as the ones we do.
